Reciprocating drawer type photographic apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A camera and photographic method performed by the camera adapted to employ a film assemblage including a plurality of selfdeveloping film units enclosed within a container having an exposure aperture in the forward wall thereof. A film unit is exposed within the container, moved, leading end foremost, from the container through one of a pair of slots at one end of the container and between a pair of pressure applying members for distributing a processing liquid within the film unit to form an image therein; and is then returned to the container through the other slot to a position behind the other film units in which the processed film units is oriented in substantially the same way as originally oriented prior to exposure. The camera includes a compact housing for enclosing the film container and pressure applying members and, following exposure, the film unit is moved in opposite directions outwardly from the film container and housing during distribution of the processing liquid by the pressure-applying members in the opposite direction and then past and to the rear of the pressure-applying members into the housing and film container wherein processing of the film unit, i.e., image formation, is continued toward completion. During exposure, subsequent movement during processing and then return movement into the film container, a film unit is maintained in a generally planar configuration. The camera includes an extensible enclosure for the film units during movement thereof; film engagement members within the enclosure for returning the film unit to the film container following completion of its outward motion; and a door at its opposite end which may be opened to remove a processed film assemblage from the film container through a withdrawal opening at the end thereof to permit viewing of a processed film unit. A film unit may be reintroduced into the film container through the withdrawal opening and the door includes a member for properly locating such a film unit within the container so that it does not interfere with introduction of succeeding units into the container.

United States Patent Erlichman s41 RECIPROCATING DRAWER TYPE IPHOTOGRAPHIIC APPARATUS AND,

METHOD v v [721- inventor: lrvingErlichman wayland, Mass.

' 7'31 'iAssigneez Polaroid Corp ra ion, Cambridge,

22 *Filed: Nov, 2 1969 [21] Appl.No.: 880;,79 4

, Related Us. Application om] v [-63] Continuationdn -part of Ser. No.878,638, Nov; 21, 1969 abandoned. I. 1 u

[521' U.s."c1...' ..9s /13,9s/23, 9s /3o 51 1111.0. ..G03b-17/50 58]FieldofSearch.- ..95/13, 19, 23, 24, 26,30

[56] v References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 641,268 1/1900 Chase.....;.95/3 3,447,437 611.969 Tiffany -..9s/13 458,981 9/1891 Perry...9s/19 3,350,990 11/1967 P11 8111 etal ....9s/ 3 Primary Examine rsamuel S. Matthews 3 Assistant Examiner-eRichmd L; Moses Attorney-Brownand Mikulka and. Robert E. Corb A camera and photographicmethodperformed by the camera adapted to employ a film assemblageincluding a plurality of self-developing film units enclosed within acontainer havingan exposure apenure in'the forward wall thereof. A filmunit is exposed within the container, moved, leading end foremost. fromthe container through one of a pair of slots at one end of the containerand between a .pair of pressure applying members for distributing aprocessing liquid within the film .unit to form an image therein; and isthen returned to the container throughthe other slot toa positionbehindthe other film units in which the processed-film; units isoriented in substantially the same way as originally oriented prior toexposure. The

cameraincludes a compact -housingfor enclosing the film container and.pressure applying members and, following exposure, the film-unit ismoved in opposite directions 1 outwardlyfrom the film container andhousing during distribution of the processing liquid by thepressure-applying 3 members in the opposite direction and then past andto the'rear of the pressureapplying members into the housing and filmcontainerwherein processing of the film unit, i.e., image formation, iscontinued toward completion. During exposure,v subsequent movementduring processing and then return movement into the film container, afilm unit is maintained'in a generally planar configuration. The cameraincludes an extensible enclosure for the film units during movementthereof; film engagement memberswithin the enclosure for returning thefilm unit to the film container following completion of its outwardmotion; and a door at its opposite end which may be opened to remove aprocessed film assemblage from the filmc'ontainer through a withdrawalopening at the end 'thereof to'permit viewing of a processed film unit.A film unit may be reintroduced into the film contamer through thewithdrawal opening and the door-fincludes a membenfor properly locatingsuch a film unitwit'hin thejcontainer Sothat' it does not interfere'iwithj-inti'oduc'tion of succeeding units into the '-c0 f inerl s4 cnnim Drawing Figures PATENTEnuuv 14 m2 SHEET 1 8F 4 INVENTOR.

mvme ERLICHMAN M mm and M/ZLM' ATTORNEYS PATENTED um! 14 I972 FIG. 5

' sum 3 BF 4 INVENTOR. mvms ERLICHMAN BWM ma; I M61 629%- ATTORNEYSPATENTEDNBVWSIE Y 3.702.580 I saw u or 4 INVENTOR.

* v 'IRVING ERLICHMAN rrnusvs RECIPROCATING DRAWER TYPE PHOTOGRAPHICAPPARATUS AND METHOD This application is a continuation-in-part of mycopending application, Ser. No. 878,638, filed Nov. 21, 1969, nowabandoned.

The back of the camera of the instant invention includes a pair ofpressure applying members for engaging an exposed film unit therebetweenwhile advancing the film unit, distributing a liquid processingcomposition within the film unit to initiate formation of a visibleimage; and means for advancing each film unit from exposure positionwithin the film container, leading end foremost, through a slot in oneend-of the container into engagement with the pressure applying memberswhich are driven so as to continue advancing the film unit from thecontainer while distributing the processing liquid therein. Extremecompactness is achieved by restricting the volume of the camera back asnearly as possible to the minimum necessary to house essentialcomponents including a film assemblage positionedfor exposure, the meansfor feeding a film unit into engagement with the pressure applyingmembers, the pressure applying members and other relatively compactmeans to be described hereinafter. The film assemblage and the filmunitsv contained therein are, in many respects, similar to or with thoseshown and described in the following U. S. patents and co-pending U. S.applications commonly assigned herewith: U. S. patents of Edwin H. Land,U. S. Pat. Nos. 3,415,644, 3,415,645 and 3,415,646 dated Dec.

retained intact-with the elements secured in superposition followingprocessing, the transfer image being viewed through one of thesuperposed elements. For further examples and details of film units ofthis type, reference may be had to the aforementioned U. S. patents andapplications.

An important feature of the back of the camera in which the film isexposed and processed, is excep- 10, 1968; U. S. Pat. applications ofEdwin H. Land, Ser.

No. 622,287, and Edwin I-l/Land et al., Ser. No. 622,286, both filedMar. 10, 1967, the latter application now abandoned; Richard J. Chen,Ser. No. 723,040 filed Apr. 2, 1968 and now United States Pat. No.3,552,292; and Nicholas Gold, Ser. No. 784,161 filed Dec. 16, 1968. i 7

Film assemblages orpacks of the foregoing type generally-comprise aplurality of film units arranged in stacked relation and enclosed in arelatively thin, rectangular, light-opaque containerwhich is at leastsemi-rigid and has an exposure opening in its forward wall through whichthe forwardmost film unit is exposed, a slotat one end through which theexposed film unit is withdrawn and means within the container forsupporting the forwardmost film unit substantially in a plane inposition for exposure. Each film unit generally comprises a pair ofrectangular, sheet-like elements secured in face-to-face relation andincluding at least a layer of a photosensitive image-recording materialin which an image can be formed by differential exposure to actiniclight; and a rupturable container of a liquid processing compositionsecured to the elements near an edge thereof in position to dischargeits contents between layers of the elements for distributiontherebetween over an area coextensive with the exposed area of a layerof photosensitive material, for permeation into said layer to initiateformation of a visible image in the film unit. Although a number ofdifferent image-forming processes can be performed employing this basicfilm structure, a preferred form of film unit particularly adapted foruse in the camera and process of the invention includes a layer forreceiving and/or supporting a visible image formed by.difiusiontransferprocess and the film unit is designed to be tionally small size relativeto the size of the film assemblage or pack employed therein and the sizeof the image produced. The essential components of the camera backinclude a housing for enclosing a film assemblage in a light-freeenvironment; means for locating a film unit the forwardmost in positionfor exposure; pressure applying means,- preferably a pair of juxtaposedpressure applying rollers, for engaging and advancing a film unittherebetween to distribute a processing composition within the filmunit; film feed means for advancing an exposed film unit from thecontainer into engagement with the pressure applying members; and ameans for driving and coordinating the operation of the pressureapplying and film feed means. Relatively small size and compactness areobtained by employing a housing capable of containing little more than afilm pack, film feeding and pressure applying means and having a volumeonly slightly in excess of the aggregate space occupied by the foregoingcomponents. Another factor which is determinative of the camera size isthe necessity for avoiding substantial bending or otherwise distortingeach film unit during processing as this can have an adverse effect onthe image formed in the film unit. In other words, it is desirable tomaintain the substantially planar configuration of each film unit duringprocessing as well as during exposure. 2

In view of the foregoing constraints, relatively small camera size canbe most easily achieved by moving a film unit along a generally linearpath from exposure position within the container, between thepressure-applying members and directly from between thepressure-applying members to the exterior of the camera. However, inmany photographic image forming processes of the type performed bycameras of the foregoing type, each film unit remains, for some timefollowing completion of the distribution of the processing compositionwithin the film unit by the pressure applying means in a photosensitivecondition, that is, a condition in which the photosensitive layer issubject to exposure to actinic environmental light detrimental to the'visible image formed during processing. Although this time, duringwhich the photosensitive material is subject to exposure may vary,depending upon construction and composition of the film unit and theimage forming process, from a few seconds to a minute or more, the filmunits, during this time, must be maintained in a substantiallylight-free environment following commencement of processing, arequirement that is obviously inconsistent with moving the film unitoutside of the camera directly from between the pressure applyingmembers.

The application discloses a structure providing an answer to both ofthese problems, and this is a reciprocating device for engaging the filmunit as it is advanced from the housing between the pressure applyingmembers, supporting the film unit and returning the film unit insubstantially the opposite direction into the housing from which it wasadvanced by the pressure applying members, and enclosure means fortemporarily expanding the volume of the light-free environment toenclose the film units during movement thereof outwardly from thehousing and then inwardly into the housing. This device for supporting,moving and enclosing the film unit while it is outside of the housing isespecially designed to occupy a relatively small space within thehousing and takes the form of a drawer having rear and side wallsconstructed and arranged to lie closely adjacent the rear and side wallsof the container of a film pack contained within the housing and a thinflexible curtain adapted to cooperate with the drawer, when the draweris extended, to form a relatively large volume, lighttight enclosure ora chamber for enclosing the film unit and the means for supporting andmoving the film unit while it is outside of the camera housing. Acurtain in combination with the drawer occupies a relatively smallvolume within the housing so that the increase in the dimensions of thehousing resulting the necessity for providing space for the curtain anddrawer is almost negligible.

As previously noted, however, the processed film unit isretumed to thehousing so that space must be provided within the housing to accommodatethe film unit in a light-free environment. The amount of space requiredwithin the housing depends upon the number of film units which are to becontained. For example, if the camera is to expose and process filmunits one at a time with each film unit being removed from the housingwhen processing thereof is complete and prior to processing of the nextsucceeding film unit, then only a minimal space need be provided withinthe housing to accommodate the film unit for the period during which itis required to be maintained in a light-free environment. However, ifthe camera is to have the facility to expose and process a number offilm units, e.g., eight or ten, in rapid succession such that, forexample, the first film unit is required to remain in a light-freeenvironment following commencement of processing of the last film unit,then provision must be made for the substantial space in a light-freeenvironment required by the multiplicity of film units. Such arequirement could be satisfied by increasing the size (fixed) of thecamera housing or camera back or by providing an expandable chamberthereby adding to the complexity and cost of the camera back.

The present invention provides a third and improved solution to theproblem of providing space within a camera housing for containing, in alight-free environment, a film unit which has been withdrawn from thecontainer for processing and then returned to the container. Anotherobject of the invention is to provide a substantially automaticphotographic processing system including apparatus capable of processinga succession of photographic film units and returning them to the packin which they were originally supplied so that the operator need onlyload a film pack into the apparatus, such as a camera, expose the filmunits arid then remove from the apparatus the same film pack nowcontaining a plurality of processed film units each containing a visibleimage and preferably constituting a completed positive photographicprint on which no further operation need be performed.

A further object of the invention is to provide photographic apparatusand methods of the type described permitting an exposed and processedfilm unit to be withdrawn from a film pack container and apparatus, suchas, a camera, for examination without subjecting other film units withinthe container to a damaging exposure by ambient light and to return thefilm unit to the container for storage following examination outside ofthe camera.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing theconstruction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts, and themethod involving the several steps and the relation and order of one ormore of such steps with respect to each of the others, which areexemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of theapplication of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of photographic apparatus in the form of acamera embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the camera takensubstantially midway between the sides of the camera;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view similar to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view takensubstantially along the lineof 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating the operationof the camera and the process performed thereby;

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing components of the camera;

FIG. 7 is an exploded, perspective view showing components of thecamera. 7

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 of the drawings wherein there isillustrated photographic apparatus in the form of a self-developingcamera embodying the invention. It should be understood that the presentinvention is concerned with the components of the camera which hold thefilm in position for exposure and then process the film, and thatstructures embodying the invention may take other forms, such as filmholders or camera backs, adapted for use with independent exposuresystems that can be separated from the film holding and processing unit.

Camera 10 is shown in an erect or operative position and includes a rearhousing section, generally designated 12, incorporating the structure ofthe invention and adapted to perform the method thereof. With theexception of drive means, such as a motor, the remaining components ofthe camera shown in FIG. 1 are involved in the exposure of aphotosensitive element positioned in the rear section. These othercomponents include a housing 14 for mounting and enclosing a lens andshutter assembly, preferably of an electrically operated type, a firstcover panel 16 pivotally connected at one edge by a hinge to housing 14and a second cover panel 18 pivotally coupled by a hinge at one edge tocover panel 16 and at its opposite edge to rear housing section 12; anda view finder and range finder combination designated 20 mounted on anerecting linkage 21. Camera 10 is of the folding type and is adapted tobe folded from the erect or operative position (shown) to a foldedposition in which the camera takes the form of a relatively long, thin,parallelepipedon in which panels 16 and 18 provide one face of thecamera, rear housing section 12 provides the sides and the rear face ofthe camera and the range finder-view finder 20 is seated in a recess inthe end portion of vcover panel 18 at which the cover panel is pivotedto the rear housing sections.

The optical components of the exposure system of the camera include alens designated 22 and a mirror (not shown) mounted on the inside of thesecond panel 18 for directing light from lens 22 toward a photosensitiveelement positioned for exposure within rear housing section 12. Aflexible bellows designated 23 is connected between housing 14, secondcover panel 18 and rear housing section 12 and cooperates to form alightfree chamber through which light from lens 22 is transmitted by-wayof the mirror. to a photosensitive element in the rear housing section.

' Camera is adapted to be employed with a film assemblage or film packsuch as shown application and illustrated in FIGS. 2through 4 of thedrawings. This film pack comprises a plurality of film units 24 of thetype shown and described in detail in the aforementioned Land patents.Each film unit 24 incorporates all of the materials necessary to producea positive photographic print and includes a photosensitive element 26,a second or image-receiving element 28, which is transparent and securedin face-to-face relation with the photosensitive element, and arupturable container 30 of processing liquid secured to one end of thephotosensitive and second elements for dispensing its liquid contentstherebetween in response to the application of compressive pressure tothe container. Each film unit is adapted to be processed by advancingthe film unit,container foremost, between a pair of pressure applyingmembers which dispense the liquid contents of the container therefrombetween the photosensitive and second elements and distribute the liquidbetween and in contact with the two elements toward the trailing endsthereof. Image-forming processes affected by film units of this type arewell known in the art and involve the formationof transferable imageforming substances in the exposed photosensitive element and diffusionof the image-forming substances to another layer within the film unit,preferably carried by the second element, where the image-formingsubstances produce a visible, positive image. In a preferred example ofsuch a film unit shown herein and discussed in the aforementioned Landpatents, the processing liquid preferably includes a white opacifyingagent which is spread between the photosensitive layer and animage-receiving layer on a transparent second element to form a layerwhich is preferably opaque to actinic light, provides a background forthe positive transfer image and serves to mask any image formed in thephotosensitive element.

The film pack comprises a plurality of film units 24 arranged in stackedrelation in an opaque container or box 32, having a forward wall 34,formed with an exposure aperture 36 substantially co-extensive in sizeand shape with the image to be formed, a leading end wall 38, a trailingend wall 40, and side walls 42. Box 32 also includes either a full rearwall or as shown most clearly in FIG. 4, a partial rear wall in the formof flanges 44 formed integrally with the rear edge portions of sidewalls 42 and each extending toward the other part way across the rear ofthe container. Container 32 is provided with a first opening 46 (seeFIG. 2) located in end wall 38 adjacent forward wall 34 dimensioned topermit the movement of film units 24, one at a time,

from the container.

The function of the partial rear wall, or flanges 44, is to supportmeans for supporting a stack of film units 24 with the forwardmost filmunit located in position for exposure against forward wall 34 inalignment with first opening 46. In a preferred embodiment of the filmassemblage shown, these means include a spring and pressure plateassembly which also functions to divide the container into a forwardsection, or chamber and a rear section, or chamber. The spring andpressure plate assembly includes a divider 50 having a relatively rigidstructure adapted to fit between and in contact with the side and endwalls for supporting a stack of film units; and a spring assembly forurging the divider 50 forwardly toward forward wall 34. The springassembly is illustrated as being formed of a single, rectangular blankof a resilient sheet material, such as sheet metal, and includes twoside rails 52 joined at their ends by transverse members 54 andintermediate there ends by a cross member 56. Pairs of cantileversprings 58 joined at their free ends by transverse members 60 extendfrom cross member 56 forwardly into engagement with divider 50 and arebiased to urge the divider forwardly within the container.

The camera of the invention is designed to withdraw a film unit from box32 through first opening 46, distribute a processing liquid within thefilm unit and then return the film unit to the box to a position behindthe spring and pressure plate assembly between side rails 52 and flanges44. The camera is also designed to permit a film unit that has beenreintroduced into the pack, to be withdrawn from the pack at the endthereof opposite that from which the .film unit was withdrawn andreintroduced. Accordingly, container 32 is provided with a secondopening in the region of leading end wall 38 through which a film unitmay be reintroduced and a third opening at the opposite end of thecontainer through which a film unit may be withdrawn for examinationand, in the preferred embodiment, reintroduced following examinationoutside .of the camera. In the embodiment of the film unit shown, thesecond opening through which the film unit is introduced into the filmpack box following processing is formed in the rear portion of leadingend wall 38 adjacent flanges 44 (or the rear wall if the box is soconstructed) and takes the form of a slot designated 62. The front toback dimensions of opening, or slot 62, is approximately equal to themaximum thickness of the film unit to permit introduction of one filmunit at a time into the rear portion of the box. To facilitateintroduction of the film unit, the ends of rails 52 are bent forwardlyadjacent leading end wall 38.

A third opening designated 64 (see FIG. 2) is formed in trailing endwall 40 adjacent flanges 44 and preferably has a front to rear dimensionsubstantially greater than the maximum thickness of a film unit in orderto allow a film unit to be reintroduced into the film pack box forwardlyof a film unit presently contained therein.

The rear section of the camera, best seen in FIGS. 2 through 4 and 7,includes means for locating the con- I tainer 32 of a film pack withinthe camera with the forwardmost film unit positioned for exposure andmeans permitting loading of film pack into the camera, withdrawal of thefilm unit following exposure and processing of the film units andwithdrawal of a film unit for examination. Rear housing section 12comprises side walls 66 and a rear wall 68 which may be formed as one ormore elements and are adapted to function both as a lighttight enclosureand as a support for operating components of the camera. The rearhousing section of the camera also includes an inner frame 69 adapted tosupport operating components of the camera. In the form shown (see FIG.7), inner frame 69 includes two side members 70 joined to one another bya forward wall 72 having an opening 74 for transmitting light to a filmunit positioned for exposure and for locating a film pack box 32 inproper exposure position. For this purpose, forward wall 34 of filmcontainer 32 is provided with a lip 71 surrounding exposure aperture 36and adapted to be engaged in opening 74 in forward wall 72.

To permit loading of a film pack into the camera, rear housing section12 is mounted for pivotal movement from the closed or operative positionshown in the drawings, to an open position in which the end portion ofthe rear housing section furthest from the leading end of the pack, isspaced rearwardly relative to inner frame 69. To supportthe pack inexposure position with the forward wall of container 32 located againstthe rear surface of forward wall 72 of inner frame 69, side members 70of the inner frame are formed with inwardly projecting guides 76 adaptedto engage flanges or rails 78 (see FIG. 4) on side walls 42 of the filmpack container. To load a film pack into the camera, rear housingsection 12 is pivoted rearwardly to increase the spacing between thecomponents of the camera mounted on the rear housing section and forwardwall 72 of the inner frame sufficiently to enable the passage of theleading end of the film pack container (which is thicker than thetrailing end thereof) so that the container may be introduced leadingend foremost. Rails 78 are engaged by guides 76 which cooperate withforward wall 72 to form tapered channels for displacing the film packforwardly as it is moved into the camera. The inner frame 69 alsoincludes a transverse member 80 (see FIG. 3) connecting side members 70limiting movement of the film pack into the camera at a point at whichthe leading ends of rails 78 are engaged between forward wall 72 andguides 76, and lip 71 is engaged with the edge of opening 74 in forwardwall 72. Detent means (not shown) engage the trailing end of film packcontainer to urge the latter forwardly to locate lip 71 within opening74 and the forward wall of the pack against the rear surface of forwardwall 72. Withdrawal of a film pack from the camera following exposureand processing of the film units is accomplished by pivoting the rearhousing section to an open position and manually engaging end moving thetrailing end of the film pack rearwardly until lip 71 is withdrawn fromopening 74, at least at the trailing edge of the opening, sufficientlyto permit the film pack to he slid towards its trailing end fromengagement between guides 76 and forward wall 72. A

suitable latch (not shown) is provided for retaining the rear housingsection in the closed or operative position shown.

The camera includes processing means in the form of a pair of juxtaposedrollers 82 and 84 mounted on inner frame 68 with their axes locatedsubstantially in a common plane. Roller 82 is mounted in fixed positionand roller 84. is mounted for movement with respect to roller 82 and isbiased toward the latter by spring means (not shown). The cameraincludes means for rotating the rollers in juxtaposition to advance afilm unit between the rollers while applying compressive pressure to thefilm unit to eject the fluid contents of container 30 between thephotosensitive and imagereceiving elements 26 and 28 of the film unit.Means (not shown) are provided for rotating the rollers and include aconventional electric motor enclosed within the lens and shutter housing14 for driving a gear 86 meshed with a gear 88 mounted on roller 82 andmeshed with a gear 90 mounted on roller 84. Housing section 14 includingthe electric motor and gear 86, is preferably pivotable about the axisof roller 82 so that gears 86 and 88 always remain in engagement, inboth the folded and extended positions of the camera housing. Rearhousing section 12 is also pivoted about the axis of roller 82 to permitloading of a film pack into the camera as previously described. 5

In the preferred form of the camera of the invention, not only are theprocessing rollers driven by an electrically energized motor, but thecamera may include an exposure system comprising components such asshutter and aperture controls and illumination means such as aphotoflash circuit, also adapted to be electrically energized. Althoughthe source of power for the electrical components of the camera maycomprise a battery provided as a component of the camera, a greaterdegree of compactness is obtained by providing a relatively thinbattery, as a component of the film pack, the battery preferably being.capable of supplying sufficient current to expose and process the filmunits contained in the film pack. In the form shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4of the drawings, such a battery is shown as constituting divider 50mounted within the film pack together with means for electricallycoupling the battery to the electrically energized components of thecamera when the film pack is loaded into the camera. These lastmentioned means include a pair of flexible conductive strips 92, coupledto the electrodes of the battery and extended therefrom through firstopening 46; and then rearwardly where conductive strips 92 are attachedto the outer surface of leading end wall 38 of the film pack container.A pair of contacts 94 see FIG. 3 electrically coupled with theelectrically energized components of the camera exposure and processingsystems, are mounted on transverse member for contacting conductivestrips 92 when the film pack is loaded into the camera in position forexposure.

In the fully loaded condition of the film pack prior to exposure andprocessing of the foremost film unit, the battery is displacedrearwardly from the position shown in the drawings to a position atwhich the rear surface of the battery is in contact with cross member 56and transverse members 54, springs 58 being displaced rearwardly so asto lie between rails 52. Thus in the fully loaded condition of the pack,there is little or no waste space and as film units are exposed andwithdrawn from the forward section of the pack from in front of battery50, the battery will move forwardly under the bias of spring 58 and aloop will be formed in flexible conductive strips 92.

As previously noted, following exposure, the forwardmost film unit 24 ismoved through opening 46 until the leading edge of container 30 entersthe bite of rollers 82 and 84 and is engaged thereby. The rollers arerotated to advance the film unit substantially in a plane in the samedirection while ejecting the fluid contents of container 30 between theleading end portions of photosensitive element 26. and image-receivingelement 28 and distributing the liquid therebetween. Rotation of therolls is continued at least until the film unit has been advancedcompletely between and from engagement with the rolls, thereupon thefilm unit is moved in substantially the opposite direction while beingguided such that the. trailing end of the film unit passes behind roll84 and enters the film pack through second opening 62. During thisreciprocating movement of the film unit, provision. must be made formaintaining the film unit in a light-free environment to preventexposure of the photosensitive element by ambient light. The cameraincludes means for moving the film unit from exposure position into thebite of the processing rolls, for engaging the film unit after it hasbeen advanced from between the processing rolls and then returning thefilm unit to the film pack container, and for enclosing the film unit ina light-free environment during movement of the film unit. v v

The means for performing the above mentioned functions are illustratedin FIGS. 2 through 7 as including a drawer 96 having a rear wall 98,dependent sides walls 100, and a leading end wall 102. Drawer 96 ismounted forreciprocating movement on and relative to rear housingsection 12 with rear wall 98 of the drawer located closely adjacent rearwall 68 of the rear housing section and side walls 100 of the drawerlocated closely adjacent side walls 66 of the rear housing section. Themeans for mounting the drawer for reciprocating motion include ballbearing guides 106 on side walls 100 of the drawer. The ball bearingguides include grooves for engaging the balls, and retaining elements108 having openings therein for receiving balls 110, are provided forpreventing escape of the balls from the grooves in guides 106.

Drawer 96 is mounted for reciprocating motion between an initialposition shown in FIG. 2 in which the drawer is located within the rearhousing section with the rear wall 98 of the drawer located between therear walls of the pack and camera housing and leading end wall 102 of'the drawer located adjacent processing roller 84; and an extendedposition shown in FIG.- in which the drawer has been moved outwardlyfrom the camera housing a distance approximately equal to the length ofthe film assemblage. The drawer, in the extended position, is adapted toreceive and support an exposed film unit as the latter is advancedbetween processing rollers 82 and 84 and then be returned to its initialposition to introduce the exposed and processed film unit into the filmpack from which it had been advanced. The means for reciprocating thedrawer include a pair of racks 112/each having a.flange 113 formed withteeth 114 meshed with pinions 116 mounted on shafts extending from theends of processing roller 82. Means are provided for mounting racks 112for reciprocating motion in response to rotation of roller 82 inopposite directions and, in the form shown, these last mentioned meansinclude a channel 118 having a C-shaped cross-section secured to eachrack and engaged for sliding movement with a T- shaped track 120 on eachside member of inner frame 69. It will be apparent that drawer 96,although moved by racks 112, moves along a linear path divergingslightly from the linear path of movement of the racks so that thecoupling between the drawer and racks is designed to permit relativemotion of the drawer and racks. The means for coupling the drawer to theracks include slots 122 in side walls of the drawer for engaging studs124 on the racks. This form of coupling also permits relative motionbetween the drawer, which is mounted on the inner frame, and the rackswhich are mounted on the rear housing section when the latter is pivotedinto an open position for loading of a film pack into the camera.

In the operation of the camera following an exposure, processing rolls82 and 84 commence to rotate, in turn, driving the racks and draweroutwardly. Coincident with commencement of rotation of the rolls andmotion of the drawer, the leading end of the exposed film unit, i.e.,the forwardmost film unit, is moved from exposure position within thefilm pack through first opening 46 into the bite of the rotating rollswhich engage and continue the motion of the film unit. The cameraincludes means for engaging the forwardmost film unit within the filmpack and moving the film units through first opening 46. These means,best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, include a film engagement member 126 mountedfor reciprocating motion in the direction of movement of the film, onforward wall 72 adjacent one of side members 70 of the inner frame, andinclude a film engagement portion extending'through a slot 128 in theforward wall and adapted to project through a slot in the forward wall34 of the film pack container into an opening in the film unit near theleading end thereof, preferably in a lateral margin of container 30.

The camera includes means responsive to motion of racks 112 for movingfilm engagement member 126 in engagement with the forwardmost film unitfrom an initial position toward the processing rolls 82 and 84 toadvance the forwardmost film unit into the bite of the processing rollsand for returning the film engagement member to its initial position inreadiness to engage and advance the next succeeding film unit followingexposure thereof. These means include an elongated lever 130 pivotallymounted at one end on the underside of forward wall 72 near the side ofthe forward wall opposite the film engagement member. Lever 130 extendsacross forward wall 72 and includes a free end section 132 extending infront of one of racks 1 12 into the path of movement of a pair of tabs134 and 136 turned up from the flange 113 of the rack. Tab 134 islocated furthest from the pivot of lever 130 and is adapted to engageend section 132 during initial movement of the rack to pivot lever 130in a counterclockwise direction (viewing FIG. 6) toward the processingrolls. The end edge of section 132 moves along an are such that tab 134clears end section 132 after lever 130 hasbeen pivoted through apredetemiined angle designed to translate the film engagement member 126in engagement'with the forwardmost film unit sufficiently to advance thelatter into engagement with the processing rollers. A spring 140 isprovided for retaining lever 130 in the advanced position shown in FIG.6. During return of the rack 112, tab 136, located closer to the pivotalaxis of lever 130 than tab 134, engages end section 132 of the lever toreturn the lever to its initial position, i.'e pivot the lever in aclockwise direction. Thus during movement of the lever, end section 132is captured between tabs 134 and 136. Lever 130 includes suitable meanssuch as tabs 142 extending rearwardly into engagement with filmengagement member 126 for reciprocating the film engagement memberduring pivotal motion of the lever.

The camera includes means cooperating with drawer 96 to form anexpansible, lighttight enclosure for each film unit as the latter isadvanced from between processing rollers 82 and 84. These last-mentionedmeans comprise a curtain 144 formed of athin, flexible, light opaquematerial having a width approximating the spacing between racks l 12. Asbest seen in FIG. 5, curtain 144 is attached at one end to a supportmember 146, extending from side to side of the rear section of thecamera housing. Support member 146 includes a resilient edge'portion 147for engaging housing section 14 and forming a lighttight seal across thegap between the housing and processing roller 82. Curtain 144 extendsfrom support member 146, around a first guide roller 148 mounted at itsends on the ends of racks 112 closely adjacent flanges 113; and thencearound and behind a second guide roller 150 mounted at its ends withindrawer 96 adjacent the inner section of rear wall 98 and end wall 102 ofthe drawer; and thence toward the trailing end of the drawer adjacentrear wall 98, around a transverse edge portion 152 of the rear wall 98of the drawer; and thence between the wall 98 of the drawer and rearwall 68 of the rear housing section to a position behind the processingrollers where the curtain is secured to the rear wall of the rear camerahousing. As the drawer is moved from the retracted or initial positionshown in FIG. 2 to the extended position shown in FIG. 5, the lateraledges of the curtain are engaged between flanges 113 of racks 112 andchannels 118 secured to the racks to form a lighttight engagementbetween the racks which move together with the drawer to the extendedposition. The edge portions of the curtain engaged with the rackscooperate with the racks and drawer to form a lighttight chamber orenclosure bounded by a forward wall provided by the curtain which alsoforms a portion of the end wall of the chamber. During reciprocatingmotion of the drawer between the retracted and extended positionsthereof, the curtain may be maintained under a slight tension; however,the curtain is not required to stretch and is preferably inelastic.

As previously noted, movement of the drawer and rotation of theprocessing rolls commence at the same time so that the drawer is inmotion toward its extended position while the forwardmost film movementis being moved into the biteof the processing rollers. The gearingarrangement between the processing rollers and racks which drivethedrawer, are such that the 'film unit is moved between therollers at aslightly faster rate than the drawer so that the film unit catches up tothe drawer so that the leading end of the film unit is located closelyadjacent the end of the drawer at about the same moment the trailing endof the film unit has been advanced from engagement with the processingrollers and the drawer reaches its fully extended position. At thispoint, the direction or rotation of gear 86 may be reversed to drivetheprocessing rollers and drawer in the opposite direction to return thefilm unit to the rear housing section of the camera. Reversal of thedirection of the rotation of gear 86 can be accomplished simply andeasily by reversing the polarity of the current energizing the electricmotor which drives the gear, and this in turn can be accomplished, forexample, by conventional switches arranged for engagement by some partof the moving drawer or racks when the latter reach their fully extendedpositions.

Means are provided within the drawer for engaging the film unit in thefully extended position of the drawer, displacing the trailing edgeportion of the film unit rearwardly and holding the leading edge of thefilm unit during return movement of the drawer into the rear housingsection. These last mentioned means in the form of an elongatedcantilever spring 154 mounted at one end near edge portion 152 of thedrawer and extending forwardly and toward the leading end of the drawerand including an end section bent back upon itself to form a spring clip156 for engaging the leading end of a film unit. The construction andarrangement of spring 154 and spring clip 156 are such as to locate theend section 156 in position to receive and engage the leading endof afilm unit as the latter is advanced by the processing rollers at afaster rate than the drawer and upon engagement of the film unit betweenend section and disengagement of the trailing end of the film unit fromthe process rollers; to displace the trailing end of the film unitrearwardly;

As the drawer is retracted, spring clip 156 is displaced rearwardly soasto lie behind processing roller 84 in the retracted position of thedrawer. As will be apparent from the FIGS. 2 and 5, during thereciprocating motion of the drawer and the filni unit, the film unitretains its substantially planar configuration and is not subjected toany substantial bending stresses. V y The camera includes means withinthe rear housing section for guiding the trailing end portion of afilmunit into the film pack container through opening 62 as the drawer isretracted. These guide means are preferably designed to guide thetrailing edge of the film units between rails 52 and flanges 44 andbehind any film unit previously introduced into the rear section of thefilm pack container. The guide-means include a rear spring guide 158mounted on the drawer for supporting or urging the trailing edge of afilm unit forwardly, so as to prevent the film unit from moving behind afilm pack container when the drawer is retractedgand a forward guideplate 160 mounted on transverse member and cooperating with rear springguide 158 to form a convergent passage for directing the trailing edgeof a film unit into second opening 62 of the film pack container.

Since spring clip 156 and the spring 154 of which it is composed, moveto a position adjacent and behind processing roller 84, when the draweris retracted, it will be apparent that the leading end of a film unitengaged by the spring clip will remain outside of the film packcontainer, and thus another operation is required to move the film unitcompletely into the container.

Engagement means in the form of springs 162 are mounted on side walls100 of the drawer adjacent the ends thereof for engaging the leading endof a film unit projecting from the container throughsecond opening 62during the initial portion of return movement of the drawer during thenext succeeding-processing cycle. Springs 162 engage the leading edge ofthe film unit to move the film unit completelyinto the film containerwhere movement of the. film unit is arrested. As the rear wall of thedrawer continues to move behind the film container, springs 162 aredeflected rearwardly out of engagement with the leading edgeof therearmost film unit.

Means are provided for retaining a film unit, introduced part way intothe film pack container, against withdrawal from the container due toengagement of the film units with spring clip 156 as the drawer is movedto its extended position. These means may comprise a component of thefilm pack or of the camera and take the form of a resilient elementextending rearwardly at least part way across second opening 62 andbeing deformable inwardly to permit movement of a film unit into thefilm pack through the second opening. This resilient member may bemounted on trans verse member 80 of the inner frame or, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, may comprise a component of the film pack such as anelement 164, formed of a thin, resilient, sheet material mounted on theinside of leading end wall 38 of the film pack container. It ,will beapparent from FIG. 3 that element 164 will be bent inwardly byengagement with a film ,unit during movement thereof into the containerthrough second opening 62 and in the deformed position, will resistwithdrawal of the film unit.

In the preferredmode of operation of the camera, a film unit is insertedinto the film pack container through opening 62 between rails 52 andflanges 44 and to the rear of any film unit already engaged between therails and flanges. The camera includes means for urging the rails andany film units located behind the rails, forwardly just ahead of thetrailing edge of the film unit to provide a space into which thetrailing end of the film unit may be introduced. These lastmentionedmeans may take the form of cams or wedges 166 mounted on the drawer inthe region of engagement springs 162. Cams 166 may be mounted insubstantially fixed position if the camera is designed to be employedwith a film pack of the type shown including a container open at theback and having flanges 44. However, when the camera is designed for usewith a film pack including a container having a rear wall, cams 166 aremounted on springs so that they can be deflected rearwardly byengagement with the rear wall. As previously noted, the camera isdesigned to permit a processed film unit to be withdrawn from the filmpack and camera for examination and for this purpose, the rear housingsection is provided with a door 168 at the end thereof opposite theprocessing rollers. Door 168 is hinged to rear wall 68 andmay be pivotedfrom the closed position shown in the drawings, to an open position toprovide access to film units introduced into the rear section of thecontainer.- It may be desirable to return a film unit to the containerfollowing examination thereof inasmuch as the container provides aconvenient place for storing the film units. This is accomplished bymanually inserting the film unit, leading end first, through thirdopening 64 between flanges 44 and rails 52 and any film units containedwithin the rear section of the film pack container. A guide 170 may beprovided on the trailing end wall40 for facilitating the introduction ofa film unit through third opening 64. It is possible for a film unitmanually inserted into the rear section of the film pack container tointerfere with the insertion of another film unit into the containerthrough opening 62 if the manually inserted film unit is not properlylocated within the container. Means are provided for insuring properlocation of a manually inserted film unit and in the form shown, includea film engagement member 172 mounted on door 168 and adapted to extendat least partially into third opening 64 forengaging and moving a filmunit, projecting from -the opening, into the pack when door 168 ispivoted into the closed position.

it will be appreciated from the foregoing description that thephotographic apparatus of the invention provides unique advantages notheretofore found in selfdeveloping cameras. In addition to the advantageof enabling the cameraoperator, if he wishes, to examine a'photographicprint within moments after making an exposure, the camera makes itunnecessary for the operator to handle the film between the timemultiple exposure film pack is loaded into the camera and the time it iswithdrawn following the exposure and processing of the film unitsinitially contained in the film pack. A preferred form of such a camerawill incorporate an automatic exposure system requiring only that theoperator aim the camera and depress a button to initiate an exposure andprocessing 'cycle during which the exposure system is reset inpreparation for making another exposure. Thus, for the first time, aself-developing camera is provided which need only be loaded, aimed atthe subject, triggered to expose and process a succession of film unitsand then unloaded.

Successive exposures can be made at a frequency limited only by the timerequired, e.g., a fraction of a second, to perform a processingoperation on each film unit. In addition to the foregoing, there isthe'further significant advantage of a high degree of compactnessachieved by storing film units, during image formation, in a spacewithin the film pack container within the camera that otherwise would bewasted'if the film units were stored within a light-free environmentwithin the camera but outside of the film pack container.

Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus and methodwithout departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it isintended that all matter contained in the above description or shown inthe accompanying drawings shall beinterpreted as i1- lustrative and notin a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. Photographic apparatus for use with a film assemblage comprising acontainer and at least a film unit including a sheet-like photosensitiveelement enclosed within said container, said apparatus comprising, incombination:

means for supporting the container of a film assemblage with thephotosensitive element of a film unit therein, supported in the forwardportion of the container in position for exposure;

processing means for engaging and moving a film unit in a firstdirection while distributing a processing composition in contact withthe photosensitive element of said film unit; I

means for moving a film unit from the exposure position thereofsubstantially in said first direction from a container into engagementwith said processing means, the latter being adapted to continue themovement of said film unit in said first direction until said first unitis disengaged from said processing means;

transport means for engaging a film unit and upon disengagement thereoffrom said processing means, automatically moving said film unit to aposition out of alignment with said processing means prior to saidtransport means moving said film unit in a second direction generallyopposite to said first direction, to the rear of and past saidprocessing means, into said container from which said film unit waswithdrawn to a storage position located rearwardly of said exposureposition; and guide means for guiding said film unit rearwardly of saidexposure position into said container during movement of said film unitin said second direction.

2. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said transportmeans are mounted for reciprocating movement substantially in said firstand second directions.

3. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said transportmeans include first engagement means for engaging the leading end of afilm unit during movement thereof in said first direction and beingmovable in said first direction and being movable in said seconddirection in engagement with said film unit I to introduce said filmunit at least part way into the container from which it was withdrawn.

4. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 3 further including meansfor moving said first filmengagement means in said first direction froman initial position adjacent said processing means to a second positionremote from said processing means during movement of a film unit in saidfirst direction and then returning said first film engagement means insaid second direction to said initial position thereof.

5. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 4 further including meansproviding a light-tight enclosure for said means for supporting acontainer with a film assemblage located in position for exposure andfor said processing means, said first film engagement means beinglocated within said enclosure in said initial position and being locatedoutside of said enclosure in said second position.

6. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said enclosurehas a normally fixed volume and further including means for temporarilyexpanding said volume of said enclosure during movement of said filmunit in said first and second directions to maintain said film unit in alight-free environment.

7. Photographic apparatus for use with a film assemblage comprising acontainer and at least a film unit including a sheet-like photosensitiveelement enclosed within said container, said apparatus comprising, incombination:

means for supporting the container of a film assemblage with thephotosensitive element of a film unit therein, supported in the forwardportion of the container in position for exposure;

processing means for engaging and moving a film unit in a firstdirection while distributing a processing composition in contact withthe photosensitive element of said film unit;

means for moving a film unit from the exposure position thereofsubstantially in said first direction from a container into engagementwith said processing means, the latter being adapted to continue themovement of said film unit in said first direction until said film unitis disengaged from said processing means;

transport means for engaging a film unit and, upon disengagement thereoffrom said processing means, moving said film unit in a second directiongenerally opposite to said first direction, to the rear of and past saidprocessing means, into said container from which said film unit waswithdrawn to a storage position located rearwardly of said exposureposition, said transport means being mounted for reciprocating movementsubstantially in said first and second directions, and said transportmeans include first engagement means for engaging the leading end of afilm unit during movement thereof in said first direction and beingmovable in said first direction and being movable in said seconddirection in engagement with said film unit to introduce said film unitat least part way into the container from which it was withdrawn andsecond film engagement means for engaging the leading end of a film unitpartially introduced into the container from which it was withdrawn andmoving said film unit in said second direction further into saidcontainer; and

guide means for guiding said film unit rearwardly of said exposureposition into said container during movement of said film unit in saidsecond direction.

8. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said transportmeans are movable from an initial position in which said first filmengagement means are located adjacent said processing means and saidsecond film engagement means are located behind the container of a filmassemblage supported in position for exposure, to a second position inwhich said first film engagement means are displaced in said firstdirection from said initial position and said second film engagementmeans are located adjacent said processin means.

9. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said transportmeans include means for engaging a component of a film assemblage duringmovement of said transport means in said second direction to displacesaid component away from the path of movement of a film unit to permitintroduction of said film unit into the container of the filmassemblage.

10. Photographic apparatus for use with a film assemblage comprising acontainer and at least a film unit including a sheet-like photosensitiveelement enclosed said container, said apparatus comprising, incombination:

means for supporting the container of a film assemblage with thephotosensitive element of a film unit therein, supported in the forwardportion of the container in position for exposure;

processing means for engaging and moving a film unit in a firstdirection while distributing a processing composition in contact withthe photosensitive element of said film unit;

means for moving a film unit from the exposure position thereofsubstantially in said first direction from a container into engagementwith said processing means, the latter being adapted to continue themovement of said film unit in said first direction until said film unitis disengaged from said processing means;

transport means for engaging a film unit and, upon disengagement thereoffrom said processing means, moving said film unit in a second directiongenerally opposite to said first direction, to the rear of and past saidprocessing means, into said container from which said film unit waswithdrawn to a storage position located rearwardly of said exposureposition, said transport means being mounted for reciprocating movementsubstantially in said first and second directions, said transport meansinclude means for engaging a component of a film assemblage duringmovement of said transport means in said second direction to displacesaid component away from the path of movement of a film unit to permitintroduction of said film unit into the container of the filmassemblage, the last-mentioned means including camming means forengaging a component of a film assemblage biased rearwardly within thecontainer thereof and displacing said component forwardly against thebias thereon to facilitate movement of a film unit direction from aninitial position in which said first film engagement means processingmeans.

13. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 12 are located adjacentsaid further including means providing a light-tight enclosure for saidmeans for supporting the container of a film assemblage located inposition for exposure and for said processing means, and wherein saidfirst film engagement means are located within said enclosure in saidinitial position of said transport means.

14. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said transportmeans include means for engaging a component of a film assemblage duringmovement of said transport means in said second direction to displacesaid component away from the path of movement of a film unit to permitintroduction of said film unit into the container of said filmassemblage.

15. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said enclosuremeans include a drawer having rear and side walls located within saidhousing adjacent the rear and sides, respectfully, of the container of afilm assemblage supported in said housing, and a curtain cooperatingwith said drawer during extension thereof to form said light-freeenclosure for a film unit during movement thereof.

16. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said firstfilm engagement means are mounted on said drawer near an end thereof.

17. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said secondfilm engagement means are mounted on said drawer near the opposite endthereof.

18. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including meansproviding a light-tight enclosure for said means for supporting thecontainer of a film assemblage located in position for exposure and amovable closure member providing access to said enclosure near the endthereof opposite said processing means to enable removal of a processedfilm unit in said second direction from the container into which saidfilm unit was introduced.

19. A photographic apparatus as defined in claim 18 including meansassociated with said closure member and movable thereby in said firstdirection into engagement with a film unit introduced in said firstdirection into said container to locate said film unit within saidcontainer in position to allow the introduction, in said seconddirection, of another film unit into said container. l

20. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 2 further includingenclosure means providing a lighttight enclosure for said means forsupporting a container of a film assemblage in position for exposure andfor said processing means and wherein at least a portion of saidtransport means move from and into said enclosure during movement,respectively, in said first and second directions.

21. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said enclosuremeans include a drawer having rear and side walls located within saidhousing adjacent the rear and sides, respectively, of the container of afilm assemblage supported in said housing and a curtain cooperating withsaid drawer during extension thereof to form an expandable andcollapsible light-free enclosure for a film unit during movementthereof.

22. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein said transportmeans include first engagement means mounted on said drawer for engagingthe leading end of a film unit during movement thereof in said firstdirection and being movable, together with said drawer, in said seconddirection in engagement with said film unit to introduce said film unitat least part way into the container from which it was withdrawn.

23. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein said transportmeans further include second film engagement means for engaging theleading end of a film unit partially introduced into said container andmoving said film unit in said second direction further into saidcontainer into said storage position.

24. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 23 wherein said first andsecond film engagement means are spaced from one another by a distanceless than the length of travel of said drawer in said first direction.

25. In photographic apparatus for use with a film assemblage including afilm unit supported in exposure position substantially in a plane withinthe forward portion of a container, including processing means forengaging a film unit outside the container and distributing a processingcomposition within the film unit and a housing having substantiallyfixed dimensions providing an enclosure having a volume exceeding, by arelatively small amount, the aggregate volume of a film assemblage andsaid processing means, the improvement comprising a transport system forremoving a film unit from exposure position within a container to effectthe processing of the film unit and then returning the film unit to saidcontainer to a position therein behind the exposure position of the filmunit while substantially maintaining the planar configuration of thefilm unit, said transport system comprising, in combination:

enclosure means occupying a relatively small proportion of the volume ofsaid housing; said enclosure means being extensible from an initialposition at least partially within said housing, in the direction ofmovement of a film unit during distribution of a processing compositiontherein by said processing means, said enclosure means including meansfor supporting the film unit substantially in a plane and, duringextension, providing a light-free enclosure for the film unit; saidprocessing. means being adapted to engage and move a film unit in theaforementioned direction until said film unit is disengaged from saidprocessing means; first film engagement means mounted on'said enclosuremeans for engaging the leading end of a film unit during movementthereof in said direction while in engagement with said processing meansand automatically displacing the trialing end of the film unitrearwardly upon disengagement thereof from said processing means;

means for retracting said enclosure means and said film engagement meansinto said housing in a second direction substantially opposite to thesaid direction to move a film unit in said second direction to the rearof and past said processing means; and

means for guiding the trailing end of a film unit into the container ofa film assemblage during movement of the said film unit in said seconddirection past said processing means.

26. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 25 wherein said enclosuremeans include a drawer having rear and side walls located within saidhousing adjacent the rear and sides, respectfully, of the container of afilm assemblage supported in said housing and a curtain cooperating withsaid drawer during extension thereof to form said light-free enclosurefor a film unit during movement thereof.

27. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 26 wherein said firstfilm engagement means are mounted on said drawer near the end thereoflocated adjacent said processing means in said initial position of saidenclosure means.

28. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 27 further includingsecond film engagement means mounted on said drawer at a position spacedfrom said first film engagement means for engaging the leading saiddrawer in said second direction to displace said component away from thepath of movement of a film unit in said second direction topermitintroduction of said film unit into the container of said filmassemblage.

31. in photographic apparatus for use with a film assemblage including afilm unit supported in exposure position substantially in a plane withinthe forward portion of a container, including processing means forengaging a film unit outside the container and distributing a processingcomposition within the film unit and a housing having substantiallyfixed dimensions providing an enclosure having a volume exceeding, by arelatively small amount, the aggregate volume of a film assemblage andsaid processing means, the improvement comprising a transport system forremoving a film unit from exposure position within a container to effectthe processing of the film unit and then returning the film unit to saidcontainer to a position therein behind the exposure position of the filmunit while substantially maintaining the planar configuration of thefilm unit, said transport system comprising, in combination:

enclosure means occupying a relatively small proportion of the volume ofsaid housing; said enclosure means being extensible from an initialposition at least partially within said housing, in the direction ofmovement of a film unit during distribution of a processing compositiontherein by said processing means, said enclosure means including meansfor supporting the film unit substantially in a plane and, duringextension, providing a light-free enclosure for the film unit; saidprocessing means being adapted to engage and move a film unit in theaforementioned direction until said film unit is disengaged from saidprocessing means; first film engagement means mounted on said enclosuremeans for engaging the leading end of a film unit during movementthereof in said direction while in engagement with said processing meansand displacing the trailing end of the film unit rearwardly upondisengagement thereof from said processing means; means for retractingsaid enclosure means and said film engagement means into said housing ina second direction substantially opposite to the said direction to movea film unit in said second direction to the rear of and past saidprocessing means; means for guiding the trailing end of a film unit intothe. container of a film assemblage during movement of the said filmunit in said second direction past said processing means; and saidenclosure means further includes a drawer having rear and side wallslocated within said housing adjacent the rear and sides, respectively,of the container of a film assemblage supported in said housing and acurtain cooperating with said drawer during extension thereof to formsaid lightfree enclosure for a film unit during movement thereof, saiddrawer further including camming means for engaging and displacing acomponent of a film assemblage against the bias of resilient I meansaway from the path of movement of a film unit in said second directionto permit introduction of said film unit into the container of said filmassemblage.

32. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 25 wherein said housingis formed with an opening therein near the end of said housing furthestfrom said processing means to permit removal of a processed film unitfrom the container of a film assemblage supported within said housing.

33. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 32 further includingclosure means for said opening, said closure means being movable betweenopen and closed positions and including means for engaging a processedfilm unit within a container of said film assemblage at the end thereoffarthest from said processing means and predeterminedly locating saidfilm unit within said container in response to closure movement of saidclo photosensitive element, distributing a processing composition incontact with said exposed photosensitiveelement to initiate formation ofa visible image in at least a layer associated with said photosensitiveelement, distribution of said processing composition being effected bymoving said photosensitive element in a first direction in engagementwith processing means until said photosensitive element is disengagedfrom said processing means;

arresting movement of said exposed photosensitive element in said firstdirection at an intermediate position following disengagement of saidphotosensitive element from said processing means and initiation ofvisible image formation;

automatically locating said film unit in position to be moved in asecond direction back into said container; and

moving said photosensitive element in a second direction substantiallyopposite to said first direction at least partially into said containerthrough an opening therein at said one end thereof to a position to therear of said exposure position and any photosensitive element notpreviously withdrawn from said container.

35. A photographic method as defined in claim 34 wherein saidphotosensitive element is withdrawn through a first opening near thefront of said container and is inserted into said container through asecond opening near the rear of said container. I

36. A photographic method as defined in claim 34 including the steps ofarresting the movement of said photosensitive element in said seconddirection when said photosensitive element is only partially within saidcontainer and then recommencing and continuing the movement of saidphotosensitive element in said second direction at least until saidphotosensitive element is completely within said container.

37. A photographic method as defined in claim 36 wherein movement ofsaid photosensitive element in said second direction from saidintermediate position to a position at least partially within saidcontainer is effected by engaging said photosensitive element at theleading end thereof and pushing said photosensitive element into saidcontainer.

38. A photographic method as defined in claim 37 wherein movement ofsaid photosensitive element completely into said container is effectedby engaging said photosensitive element at the leading end thereof.

39. A photographic method as defined in claim 38 wherein saidphotosensitive element is engaged and moved completely into saidcontainer while a succeeding photosensitive element is being moved insaid seconddirection. v

40. A photographic method as defined in claim 37 wherein movement ofsaid photosensitive element completely into said container is effectedby engaging said photosensitive element at the opposite'end thereof anddrawing it in said second direction at least completely into saidcontainer.

41. A photographic method as defined in claim 40 wherein saidphotosensitive element is engaged manually at said other end thereof.

42. A photographic method as defined in claim 40 wherein saidphotosensitive element is drawn from said container through an openingin the end of said container opposite the first-mentioned opening.

- 43. A photographic process as defined in claim 34 wherein anotherphotosensitive element is exposed and withdrawn from said container andtreated with processing composition subsequent to exposure andprocessing the first-mentioned photosensitive element and then isintroduced into said container into a position rearwardly of anyphotosensitive element previously introduced into said container andcontained therein.

44. A photographic process as defined in claim 34 wherein anotherphotosensitive element is exposed, withdrawn from said container andtreated with processing composition subsequent to exposure andprocessing of the first-mentioned photosensitive element, and is thenintroduced into said container into a position forwardly of anyphotosensitive element previously introduced into said container.

45. A photographic process as defined in claim 34 wherein a processedphotosensitive element is withdrawn in said second direction from saidcontainer through an opening in the opposite end thereof.

46. A photographic process as defined in claim 45 whereinthelast-mentioned photosensitive element is subsequently reintroduced intosaid container by tioned opening.

47. The method of producing a plurality of visible photographic imagesutilizing a film assemblage including a container and a plurality offilm units located within a forward portion of said container, each ofsaid film units including at least a photosensitive imagerecordinglayer, said method comprising the steps of:

exposing the photosensitive image-recording layer of a film unit of afilm assemblage to actinic radiation to form an image in said layer;

while maintaining at least an end portion of said film assemblage in anenclosure free of actinic radiation, withdrawing the exposed film unitentirely from the container of said film assemblage at said end thereofand distributing a processing composition within said film unit toinitiate formation of a visible image in said film unit;

v automatically moving said film unit to a position I wherein it may bemoved into said container;

thereafter introducing said film unit into said container at said endwhile moving said film unit in a direction substantially opposite to thedirection of withdrawal, to a position behind any film unit notpreviously withdrawn from said container for processing; and duringwithdrawal, processing and introduction of said film unit, temporarilyexpanding and reducingthe volume of said enclosure as required toaccommodate said film unit outside of said container. 48. A photographicmethod as defined in claim 47 wherein a film unit is introducedcompletely into said container in two steps, said film unit being movedpart way into said container during said first step and being movedcompletely into said container during introductory movement of asucceeding film unit.

49. A photographic method as defined in claim 47 wherein a processedfilm unit is withdrawn from said container at the opposite end of saidfilm assemblage.

50. A photographic method as defined in claim 49 wherein said processedfilm unit withdrawn from said container at said opposite end isreintroduced intosaid container behind any film units not previouslywithdrawn from said container for processing.

51. A photographicmethod as defined in claim 50 wherein said processedfilm unit withdrawn from said container is reintroduced into saidcontainer forwardly of all processed film units within said container.

52. A photographic method as defined in claim 51 wherein said film unitis introduced into said container in said second direction to the rearof all processed film units within said container.

53. A photographic method as defined in claim 47 wherein each succeddingfilm unit is introduced in said second direction into said containerforwardly of the preceding film unit.

54. A photographic method as defined in claim 47 wherein each succeedingfilm units is introduced in said second direction into said containerrearwardly of the preceding film unit.

1. Photographic apparatus for use with a film assemblage comprising acontainer and at least a film unit including a sheet-like photosensitiveelement enclosed within said container, said apparatus comprising, incombination: means for supporting the container of a film assemblagewith the photosensitive element of a film unit therein, supported in theforward portion of the container in position for exposure; processingmeans for engaging and moving a film unit in a first direction whiledistributing a processing composition in contact with the photosensitiveelement of said film unit; means for moving a film unit from theexposure position thereof substantially in said first direction from acontainer into engagement with said processing means, the latter beingadapted to continue the movement of said film unit in said firstdirection until said first unit is disengaged from said processingmeans; transport means for engaging a film unit and upon disengagementthereof from said processing means, automatically moving said film unitto a position out of alignment with said processing means prior to saidtransport means moving said film unit in a second direction generallyopposite to said first direction, to the rear of and past saidprocessing means, into said container from which said film unit waswithdrawn to a storage position located rearwardly of said exposureposition; and guide means for guiding said film unit rearwardly of saidexposure position into said container during movement of said film unitin said second direction.
 2. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim1 wherein said transport means are mounted for reciprocating movementsubstantially in said first and second directions.
 3. Photographicapparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said transport means includefirst engagement means for engaging the leading end of a film unitduring movement thereof in said first direction and being movable insaid first direction and being movable in said second direction inengagement with said film unit to introduce said film unit at least partway into the container from which it was withdrawn.
 4. PhotogrAphicapparatus as defined in claim 3 further including means for moving saidfirst film engagement means in said first direction from an initialposition adjacent said processing means to a second position remote fromsaid processing means during movement of a film unit in said firstdirection and then returning said first film engagement means in saidsecond direction to said initial position thereof.
 5. Photographicapparatus as defined in claim 4 further including means providing alight-tight enclosure for said means for supporting a container with afilm assemblage located in position for exposure and for said processingmeans, said first film engagement means being located within saidenclosure in said initial position and being located outside of saidenclosure in said second position.
 6. Photographic apparatus as definedin claim 5 wherein said enclosure has a normally fixed volume andfurther including means for temporarily expanding said volume of saidenclosure during movement of said film unit in said first and seconddirections to maintain said film unit in a light-free environment. 7.Photographic apparatus for use with a film assemblage comprising acontainer and at least a film unit including a sheet-like photosensitiveelement enclosed within said container, said apparatus comprising, incombination: means for supporting the container of a film assemblagewith the photosensitive element of a film unit therein, supported in theforward portion of the container in position for exposure; processingmeans for engaging and moving a film unit in a first direction whiledistributing a processing composition in contact with the photosensitiveelement of said film unit; means for moving a film unit from theexposure position thereof substantially in said first direction from acontainer into engagement with said processing means, the latter beingadapted to continue the movement of said film unit in said firstdirection until said film unit is disengaged from said processing means;transport means for engaging a film unit and, upon disengagement thereoffrom said processing means, moving said film unit in a second directiongenerally opposite to said first direction, to the rear of and past saidprocessing means, into said container from which said film unit waswithdrawn to a storage position located rearwardly of said exposureposition, said transport means being mounted for reciprocating movementsubstantially in said first and second directions, and said transportmeans include first engagement means for engaging the leading end of afilm unit during movement thereof in said first direction and beingmovable in said first direction and being movable in said seconddirection in engagement with said film unit to introduce said film unitat least part way into the container from which it was withdrawn andsecond film engagement means for engaging the leading end of a film unitpartially introduced into the container from which it was withdrawn andmoving said film unit in said second direction further into saidcontainer; and guide means for guiding said film unit rearwardly of saidexposure position into said container during movement of said film unitin said second direction.
 8. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim7 wherein said transport means are movable from an initial position inwhich said first film engagement means are located adjacent saidprocessing means and said second film engagement means are locatedbehind the container of a film assemblage supported in position forexposure, to a second position in which said first film engagement meansare displaced in said first direction from said initial position andsaid second film engagement means are located adjacent said processingmeans.
 9. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein saidtransport means include means for engaging a component of a filmassemblage during movement of said transport means in said seconddirection to displace said component away from the path of movement of afilm unit to permit introduction of said film unit into the container ofthe film assemblage.
 10. Photographic apparatus for use with a filmassemblage comprising a container and at least a film unit including asheet-like photosensitive element enclosed within said container, saidapparatus comprising, in combination: means for supporting the containerof a film assemblage with the photosensitive element of a film unittherein, supported in the forward portion of the container in positionfor exposure; processing means for engaging and moving a film unit in afirst direction while distributing a processing composition in contactwith the photosensitive element of said film unit; means for moving afilm unit from the exposure position thereof substantially in said firstdirection from a container into engagement with said processing means,the latter being adapted to continue the movement of said film unit insaid first direction until said film unit is disengaged from saidprocessing means; transport means for engaging a film unit and, upondisengagement thereof from said processing means, moving said film unitin a second direction generally opposite to said first direction, to therear of and past said processing means, into said container from whichsaid film unit was withdrawn to a storage position located rearwardly ofsaid exposure position, said transport means being mounted forreciprocating movement substantially in said first and seconddirections, said transport means include means for engaging a componentof a film assemblage during movement of said transport means in saidsecond direction to displace said component away from the path ofmovement of a film unit to permit introduction of said film unit intothe container of the film assemblage, the last-mentioned means includingcamming means for engaging a component of a film assemblage biasedrearwardly within the container thereof and displacing said componentforwardly against the bias thereon to facilitate movement of a film unitinto the container of said film assemblage behind said component; andguide means for guiding said film unit rearwardly of said exposureposition into said container during movement of said film unit in saidsecond direction.
 11. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 7wherein said first and second film engagement means are spaced from oneanother by a distance less than the length of travel of said transportmeans in said first direction.
 12. Photographic apparatus as defined inclaim 11 wherein said transport means are movable in said firstdirection from an initial position in which said first film engagementmeans are located adjacent said processing means.
 13. Photographicapparatus as defined in claim 12 further including means providing alight-tight enclosure for said means for supporting the container of afilm assemblage located in position for exposure and for said processingmeans, and wherein said first film engagement means are located withinsaid enclosure in said initial position of said transport means. 14.Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said transportmeans include means for engaging a component of a film assemblage duringmovement of said transport means in said second direction to displacesaid component away from the path of movement of a film unit to permitintroduction of said film unit into the container of said filmassemblage.
 15. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 13 whereinsaid enclosure means include a drawer having rear and side walls locatedwithin said housing adjacent the rear and sides, respectfully, of thecontainer of a film assemblage supported in said housing, and a curtaincooperating with said drawer during extension thereof to form saidlight-free enclosure for a film unit during movement thereof. 16.Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said first filmengagement means are mounted on said drawer near an end thereof. 17.Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said second filmengagement means are mounted on said drawer near the opposite endthereof.
 18. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 1 furtherincluding means providing a light-tight enclosure for said means forsupporting the container of a film assemblage located in position forexposure and a movable closure member providing access to said enclosurenear the end thereof opposite said processing means to enable removal ofa processed film unit in said second direction from the container intowhich said film unit was introduced.
 19. A photographic apparatus asdefined in claim 18 including means associated with said closure memberand movable thereby in said first direction into engagement with a filmunit introduced in said first direction into said container to locatesaid film unit within said container in position to allow theintroduction, in said second direction, of another film unit into saidcontainer.
 20. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 2 furtherincluding enclosure means providing a light-tight enclosure for saidmeans for supporting a container of a film assemblage in position forexposure and for said processing means and wherein at least a portion ofsaid transport means move from and into said enclosure during movement,respectively, in said first and second directions.
 21. Photographicapparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said enclosure means include adrawer having rear and side walls located within said housing adjacentthe rear and sides, respectively, of the container of a film assemblagesupported in said housing and a curtain cooperating with said drawerduring extension thereof to form an expandable and collapsiblelight-free enclosure for a film unit during movement thereof. 22.Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein said transportmeans include first engagement means mounted on said drawer for engagingthe leading end of a film unit during movement thereof in said firstdirection and being movable, together with said drawer, in said seconddirection in engagement with said film unit to introduce said film unitat least part way into the container from which it was withdrawn. 23.Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein said transportmeans further include second film engagement means for engaging theleading end of a film unit partially introduced into said container andmoving said film unit in said second direction further into saidcontainer into said storage position.
 24. Photographic apparatus asdefined in claim 23 wherein said first and second film engagement meansare spaced from one another by a distance less than the length of travelof said drawer in said first direction.
 25. In photographic apparatusfor use with a film assemblage including a film unit supported inexposure position substantially in a plane within the forward portion ofa container, including processing means for engaging a film unit outsidethe container and distributing a processing composition within the filmunit and a housing having substantially fixed dimensions providing anenclosure having a volume exceeding, by a relatively small amount, theaggregate volume of a film assemblage and said processing means, theimprovement comprising a transport system for removing a film unit fromexposure position within a container to effect the processing of thefilm unit and then returning the film unit to said container to aposition therein behind the exposure position of the film unit whilesubstantially maintaining the planar configuration of the film unit,said transport system comprising, in combination: enclosure meansoccupying a relatively small proportion of the volume of said housing;said enclosure means being extensible from an initial position at leastpartially within said housing, in the direction of movement of a filmunit during distribution of a processing composition therein by saidprocessing means, said enclosure means includiNg means for supportingthe film unit substantially in a plane and, during extension, providinga light-free enclosure for the film unit; said processing means beingadapted to engage and move a film unit in the aforementioned directionuntil said film unit is disengaged from said processing means; firstfilm engagement means mounted on said enclosure means for engaging theleading end of a film unit during movement thereof in said directionwhile in engagement with said processing means and automaticallydisplacing the trialing end of the film unit rearwardly upondisengagement thereof from said processing means; means for retractingsaid enclosure means and said film engagement means into said housing ina second direction substantially opposite to the said direction to movea film unit in said second direction to the rear of and past saidprocessing means; and means for guiding the trailing end of a film unitinto the container of a film assemblage during movement of the said filmunit in said second direction past said processing means. 26.Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 25 wherein said enclosuremeans include a drawer having rear and side walls located within saidhousing adjacent the rear and sides, respectfully, of the container of afilm assemblage supported in said housing and a curtain cooperating withsaid drawer during extension thereof to form said light-free enclosurefor a film unit during movement thereof.
 27. Photographic apparatus asdefined in claim 26 wherein said first film engagement means are mountedon said drawer near the end thereof located adjacent said processingmeans in said initial position of said enclosure means.
 28. Photographicapparatus as defined in claim 27 further including second filmengagement means mounted on said drawer at a position spaced from saidfirst film engagement means for engaging the leading end of a film unitextending from the container of a film assemblage and moving said filmunit in said second direction completely into said container. 29.Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 28 wherein said first andsecond film engagement means are spaced from one another by a distanceless than the length of travel of said drawer in said first-mentioneddirection.
 30. Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 26 whereinsaid drawer includes means for engaging a component of a film assemblageduring movement of said drawer in said second direction to displace saidcomponent away from the path of movement of a film unit in said seconddirection to permit introduction of said film unit into the container ofsaid film assemblage.
 31. In photographic apparatus for use with a filmassemblage including a film unit supported in exposure positionsubstantially in a plane within the forward portion of a container,including processing means for engaging a film unit outside thecontainer and distributing a processing composition within the film unitand a housing having substantially fixed dimensions providing anenclosure having a volume exceeding, by a relatively small amount, theaggregate volume of a film assemblage and said processing means, theimprovement comprising a transport system for removing a film unit fromexposure position within a container to effect the processing of thefilm unit and then returning the film unit to said container to aposition therein behind the exposure position of the film unit whilesubstantially maintaining the planar configuration of the film unit,said transport system comprising, in combination: enclosure meansoccupying a relatively small proportion of the volume of said housing;said enclosure means being extensible from an initial position at leastpartially within said housing, in the direction of movement of a filmunit during distribution of a processing composition therein by saidprocessing means, said enclosure means including means for supportingthe film unit substantially in a plane and, during extension, providinga light-free enclosure for the film unit; said processing means beingadapted to engage and move a film unit in the aforementioned directionuntil said film unit is disengaged from said processing means; firstfilm engagement means mounted on said enclosure means for engaging theleading end of a film unit during movement thereof in said directionwhile in engagement with said processing means and displacing thetrailing end of the film unit rearwardly upon disengagement thereof fromsaid processing means; means for retracting said enclosure means andsaid film engagement means into said housing in a second directionsubstantially opposite to the said direction to move a film unit in saidsecond direction to the rear of and past said processing means; meansfor guiding the trailing end of a film unit into the container of a filmassemblage during movement of the said film unit in said seconddirection past said processing means; and said enclosure means furtherincludes a drawer having rear and side walls located within said housingadjacent the rear and sides, respectively, of the container of a filmassemblage supported in said housing and a curtain cooperating with saiddrawer during extension thereof to form said light-free enclosure for afilm unit during movement thereof, said drawer further including cammingmeans for engaging and displacing a component of a film assemblageagainst the bias of resilient means away from the path of movement of afilm unit in said second direction to permit introduction of said filmunit into the container of said film assemblage.
 32. Photographicapparatus as defined in claim 25 wherein said housing is formed with anopening therein near the end of said housing furthest from saidprocessing means to permit removal of a processed film unit from thecontainer of a film assemblage supported within said housing. 33.Photographic apparatus as defined in claim 32 further including closuremeans for said opening, said closure means being movable between openand closed positions and including means for engaging a processed filmunit within a container of said film assemblage at the end thereoffarthest from said processing means and predeterminedly locating saidfilm unit within said container in response to closure movement of saidclosure means.
 34. A photographic method utilizing a film assemblageincluding a container and at least a photosensitive element locatedwithin a forward portion of said container, said method comprising thesteps of: locating a photosensitive element within the container of afilm assemblage in position for exposure; exposing said photosensitiveelement to form an image in said element; withdrawing said exposedphotosensitive element, leading end foremost, in a first directioncompletely from said container through an opening therein at one endthereof; during withdrawal movement of said exposed photosensitiveelement, distributing a processing composition in contact with saidexposed photosensitive element to initiate formation of a visible imagein at least a layer associated with said photosensitive element,distribution of said processing composition being effected by movingsaid photosensitive element in a first direction in engagement withprocessing means until said photosensitive element is disengaged fromsaid processing means; arresting movement of said exposed photosensitiveelement in said first direction at an intermediate position followingdisengagement of said photosensitive element from said processing meansand initiation of visible image formation; automatically locating saidfilm unit in position to be moved in a second direction back into saidcontainer; and moving said photosensitive element in a second directionsubstantially opposite to said first direction at least partially intosaid container through an opening therein at said one end thereof to aposition to the rear of said exposure position and any photosensitiveelement not previously withdRawn from said container.
 35. A photographicmethod as defined in claim 34 wherein said photosensitive element iswithdrawn through a first opening near the front of said container andis inserted into said container through a second opening near the rearof said container.
 36. A photographic method as defined in claim 34including the steps of arresting the movement of said photosensitiveelement in said second direction when said photosensitive element isonly partially within said container and then recommencing andcontinuing the movement of said photosensitive element in said seconddirection at least until said photosensitive element is completelywithin said container.
 37. A photographic method as defined in claim 36wherein movement of said photosensitive element in said second directionfrom said intermediate position to a position at least partially withinsaid container is effected by engaging said photosensitive element atthe leading end thereof and pushing said photosensitive element intosaid container.
 38. A photographic method as defined in claim 37 whereinmovement of said photosensitive element completely into said containeris effected by engaging said photosensitive element at the leading endthereof.
 39. A photographic method as defined in claim 38 wherein saidphotosensitive element is engaged and moved completely into saidcontainer while a succeeding photosensitive element is being moved insaid second direction.
 40. A photographic method as defined in claim 37wherein movement of said photosensitive element completely into saidcontainer is effected by engaging said photosensitive element at theopposite end thereof and drawing it in said second direction at leastcompletely into said container.
 41. A photographic method as defined inclaim 40 wherein said photosensitive element is engaged manually at saidother end thereof.
 42. A photographic method as defined in claim 40wherein said photosensitive element is drawn from said container throughan opening in the end of said container opposite the first-mentionedopening.
 43. A photographic process as defined in claim 34 whereinanother photosensitive element is exposed and withdrawn from saidcontainer and treated with processing composition subsequent to exposureand processing the first-mentioned photosensitive element and then isintroduced into said container into a position rearwardly of anyphotosensitive element previously introduced into said container andcontained therein.
 44. A photographic process as defined in claim 34wherein another photosensitive element is exposed, withdrawn from saidcontainer and treated with processing composition subsequent to exposureand processing of the first-mentioned photosensitive element, and isthen introduced into said container into a position forwardly of anyphotosensitive element previously introduced into said container.
 45. Aphotographic process as defined in claim 34 wherein a processedphotosensitive element is withdrawn in said second direction from saidcontainer through an opening in the opposite end thereof.
 46. Aphotographic process as defined in claim 45 wherein the last-mentionedphotosensitive element is subsequently reintroduced into said containerby movement in said first direction through the last-mentioned opening.47. The method of producing a plurality of visible photographic imagesutilizing a film assemblage including a container and a plurality offilm units located within a forward portion of said container, each ofsaid film units including at least a photosensitive image-recordinglayer, said method comprising the steps of: exposing the photosensitiveimage-recording layer of a film unit of a film assemblage to actinicradiation to form an image in said layer; while maintaining at least anend portion of said film assemblage in an enclosure free of actinicradiation, withdrawing the exposed film unit entirely from the containerof said film assemblage at said end thereof anD distributing aprocessing composition within said film unit to initiate formation of avisible image in said film unit; automatically moving said film unit toa position wherein it may be moved into said container; thereafterintroducing said film unit into said container at said end while movingsaid film unit in a direction substantially opposite to the direction ofwithdrawal, to a position behind any film unit not previously withdrawnfrom said container for processing; and during withdrawal, processingand introduction of said film unit, temporarily expanding and reducingthe volume of said enclosure as required to accommodate said film unitoutside of said container.
 48. A photographic method as defined in claim47 wherein a film unit is introduced completely into said container intwo steps, said film unit being moved part way into said containerduring said first step and being moved completely into said containerduring introductory movement of a succeeding film unit.
 49. Aphotographic method as defined in claim 47 wherein a processed film unitis withdrawn from said container at the opposite end of said filmassemblage.
 50. A photographic method as defined in claim 49 whereinsaid processed film unit withdrawn from said container at said oppositeend is reintroduced into said container behind any film units notpreviously withdrawn from said container for processing.
 51. Aphotographic method as defined in claim 50 wherein said processed filmunit withdrawn from said container is reintroduced into said containerforwardly of all processed film units within said container.
 52. Aphotographic method as defined in claim 51 wherein said film unit isintroduced into said container in said second direction to the rear ofall processed film units within said container.
 53. A photographicmethod as defined in claim 47 wherein each succedding film unit isintroduced in said second direction into said container forwardly of thepreceding film unit.
 54. A photographic method as defined in claim 47wherein each succeeding film units is introduced in said seconddirection into said container rearwardly of the preceding film unit.